A view of Mahamastakabhisheka of Parshwanath Teerthankara statue being held at Navagraha Teerthakshetra at Varur near Hubballi on Wednesday.
Credit: DH Photo/Govindraj Javali
Hubballi: Tourism Minister H K Patil has announced Rs 2 crore grants from his ministry for the development of Navagraha Teertha Kshetra at Varur near Hubballi.
Speaking after inaugurating the Sumeru Parvata Kalasarohana programme organised as part of Mahamastakabhisheka in Varur near Hubballi on Wednesday, he said, for tourism development, the government will release Rs 2 crores in two phases in two years.
He noted that there are more than 4,000 Jain Basadis built by Hoysala, Chalukya, Rashtrakoota and other rulers in the state. But, many Basadis are in dilapidated condition. Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade has taken responsibility of rejuvenating eight Basadis in Lakkundi of Gadag district. Likewise, Jain seers and donors from the community should come forward to rejuvenate the Basadis in this region.
RSS leader Mangesh Bhende said there is no respect for a weak country in the world, hence India should grow as a powerful nation. “We all should become Indians despite being from different castes, religions and regions, in order to make the country strong,” he called.
Former minister Veerakumar Patil, Surendra Heggade, Rajendra Bilagi and others were present.
Give culture to kids
Earlier, participating in the first Kalash Abhisheka programme, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria said we are giving only education to our children, forgetting to give culture. Institutes like Varur have been giving culture and education to the students.
He also noted that developing such Teertha Kshetra will help next generation people to understand our culture and follow our traditions.
Mahamastakabhisheka begins
A grand Mahamastakabhisheka was performed simultaneously for nine Tirthankaras at Varur on Wednesday evening. Thousands of devotees gathered in front of the Navagraha idols, and rejoiced in witnessing the grandeur of the Mahamastakabhisheka, which occurs once every 12 years.
Initially, the Ashtadikpalakas, including Indra, were invited, and offerings were made to the Navagrahas, including Aditya, for the removal of obstacles.